What is the primary use of smoke in military pyrotechnics?

The primary use of smoke in military pyrotechnics is to obscure vision and provide cover. Smoke serves as a tactical tool to enhance operational security on the battlefield. By creating a dense cloud of smoke, military forces can effectively obscure movements, protect personnel from enemy observation, and disrupt the enemy's targeting capabilities. This tactic helps units maneuver more safely and execute their missions with reduced risk of detection.

While illumination is essential in nighttime operations and marking locations has its uses, smoke's primary function relates to concealment and providing battlefield advantage by obscuring visibility. Additionally, using smoke for celebrations, such as fireworks, is not a operational military application, as its primary role is in combat scenarios and the complexities of warfare.